Tendai is a Mahayana school of Buddhism, named after Mount Tien Tai in southeastern China, where most of the Tendai teachings were developed.
Tendai Buddhism has had a great influence on Chinese and Japanese society. In the 5th century, the religion was popularized by the philosopher, teacher and practitioner Chih-i (538-597). The Japanese monk Saicho (767-822) from Mount Tien Tai introduced the religion to Japan and built a temple on Mount Hiei. He lit a lamp dedicated to Yakushi Nyorai (Medicine Buddha), and prayed that this light would burn eternally. This Dharma Lamp has been burning over 1,200 years in the Konpon Chūdō Hall. It is called the Fumetsu-no-Hōtō which means the inextinguishable Dharma Lamp.
“What is the treasure of a nation? It is the spirit seeking for the Buddha Path.” – Saicho
Dharma lamp
Doctrines and Beliefs
The Tiantai Dashi Zhi-yi’s (Tendai Daishi Chigi in Japanese) interpretation of the Lotus Sutra
Tendai Buddhism is established from Mahayana Buddhism, which teaches that every person has the ability to achieve enlightenment through him or herself. The doctrine itself is heavily based on the Tiantai Dashi Zhi-yi’s (Tendai Daishi Chigi in Japanese) interpretation of the Lotus Sutra. The Lotus Sutra also lays the foundation principles of Nichiren and Pure Land schools. Tendai Buddhism is one of the most comprehensive schools of Buddhism, containing elements of Vinaya, Shingon, Zen, and even Shinto, the indigenous Japanese tradition. For this reason, the popularity is very high in Japan.
Zhiyi was active in the Chen (557-589) and Sui (589-617) Dynasties. He divided the Lotus Sūtra, originally containing 28 chapters, into two parts with 14 chapters each. The first 14 chapters focus on the idea that anyone can become a Buddha – there is no discrimination because everything and everyone in this world exists for a reason. Shakyamuni Buddha guaranteed that anyone can reach enlightenment. One should follow the Buddha's teachings and work towards the vast goal of gaining Buddhahood. The second part of the Lotus Sutra teaches the eternality of Shakyamuni Buddha and the universality of the Buddha’s teachings. It answers why Shakyamuni Buddha passed into Nirvana and what his disciples were guided by after his death.
Practices
There are three ways to salvation:
Srakakayana
Pratyeka-buddhayana
Bodhisattvayana
In modern day, there are teachings in Tendai temples such as the Truth of the Middle Way, which teaches about the unity of the absolute and provisional. The harmony of existing, but disappearing is the truth of the middle way. Also, there is the Ichizen Sanzen "Three Thousand Realms in One Moment." This teaches that one thought can not only affect an individual, but also the society and world. Overall, the teachings incorporate Bodhisattva teachings and ideals.
Chanting Mantras is another practice that the followers of Tendai Buddhism do. It originally comes from Esoteric Buddhism, and later on, the rituals were treated with the same importance as the Lotus Sutra. Through chanting, the person is able to step closer to enlightenment.
Tendai (T'ien Tai) sect
By Jeong Min Park and Wooyon Shim
A Short History
Tendai is a Mahayana school of Buddhism, named after Mount Tien Tai in southeastern China, where most of the Tendai teachings were developed.
Tendai Buddhism has had a great influence on Chinese and Japanese society. In the 5th century, the religion was popularized by the philosopher, teacher and practitioner Chih-i (538-597). The Japanese monk Saicho (767-822) from Mount Tien Tai introduced the religion to Japan and built a temple on Mount Hiei. He lit a lamp dedicated to Yakushi Nyorai (Medicine Buddha), and prayed that this light would burn eternally. This Dharma Lamp has been burning over 1,200 years in the Konpon Chūdō Hall. It is called the Fumetsu-no-Hōtō which means the inextinguishable Dharma Lamp.
“What is the treasure of a nation? It is the spirit seeking for the Buddha Path.” – Saicho
Doctrines and Beliefs
Tendai Buddhism is established from Mahayana Buddhism, which teaches that every person has the ability to achieve enlightenment through him or herself. The doctrine itself is heavily based on the Tiantai Dashi Zhi-yi’s (Tendai Daishi Chigi in Japanese) interpretation of the Lotus Sutra. The Lotus Sutra also lays the foundation principles of Nichiren and Pure Land schools. Tendai Buddhism is one of the most comprehensive schools of Buddhism, containing elements of Vinaya, Shingon, Zen, and even Shinto, the indigenous Japanese tradition. For this reason, the popularity is very high in Japan.
Zhiyi was active in the Chen (557-589) and Sui (589-617) Dynasties. He divided the Lotus Sūtra, originally containing 28 chapters, into two parts with 14 chapters each. The first 14 chapters focus on the idea that anyone can become a Buddha – there is no discrimination because everything and everyone in this world exists for a reason. Shakyamuni Buddha guaranteed that anyone can reach enlightenment. One should follow the Buddha's teachings and work towards the vast goal of gaining Buddhahood. The second part of the Lotus Sutra teaches the eternality of Shakyamuni Buddha and the universality of the Buddha’s teachings. It answers why Shakyamuni Buddha passed into Nirvana and what his disciples were guided by after his death.
Practices
There are three ways to salvation:
Srakakayana
Pratyeka-buddhayana
Bodhisattvayana
In modern day, there are teachings in Tendai temples such as the Truth of the Middle Way, which teaches about the unity of the absolute and provisional. The harmony of existing, but disappearing is the truth of the middle way. Also, there is the Ichizen Sanzen "Three Thousand Realms in One Moment." This teaches that one thought can not only affect an individual, but also the society and world. Overall, the teachings incorporate Bodhisattva teachings and ideals.
Chanting Mantras is another practice that the followers of Tendai Buddhism do. It originally comes from Esoteric Buddhism, and later on, the rituals were treated with the same importance as the Lotus Sutra. Through chanting, the person is able to step closer to enlightenment.
Works Cited
"An Overview of Tendai Buddhism." Tendai Teachings. Web. 12 Mar. 2012. <http://www.tendai-lotus.org/an-overview-of-tendai-buddhism.html>.
"A Short History of Tendai Buddhism." Buddhachannel. 14 Jul. 2009. Web. 12 Mar. 2012. <http://www.buddhachannel.tv/portail/spip.php?article3623>.
"The Lotus Sutra and Tendai Teachings." Dengyo-Diashi's Life and Teaching. Web 13 Mar. 2012. <http://www.tendai.or.jp/english/chapter01.php>.
"Preface for the Foreign Language versions of "Dengyo-Diashi's Life and Teaching" Dengyo-Diashi's Life and Teaching. Web 13 Mar. 2012. <http://www.tendai.or.jp/english/index.php>.
"Tendai Teachings." Tendai Buddhist Insitute. Web. 13 Mar. 2012. <http://tendai.org/index.php?id=44>.
"Tendai (T'ien Tai) Buddhism." Religion Facts. Web. 13 Mar. 2012. <http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/sects/tendai.htm>.